Ashley Handwerk Email & Phone Number

Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

Gaithersburg, Maryland, Us

Columbia, Md, Us

Delivered the strategic vision for two hospitals and 4,000 employees through multiple restructures, enhanced HR capabilities, strong cross-functional partnerships, and a cultural reboot. • Coached executive leadership to deliver on strategic business priorities, identifying resources and approaches to clearly communicate goals, motivate staff and delegate effectively. • Created and imbedded a patient and employee engagement program to improve safety, quality and financial performance, as well as drive retention. • Successfully defeated a union campaign, resulting in greater communication and an engaged workforce.• Strengthened a multisite HR team, developing them to become independent and respected business partners and empowering their own decision making and confidence. • Created regional collaboration to drive standardization and efficiency, as well as talent fluidity. Enable system-wide and shared services partnerships to provide the right tools and resources for HR to function successfully in a matrixed organization. • Advocated for and implemented a new compensation model for critical roles, closing the talent gap.

As a senior member of the management team, I am leading a comprehensive overhaul of the agency's entire human resources function. This effort includes reengineering all HR processes and policies, introducing best practices in recruitment, learning & development and strategic support, and changing the mindset of what HR can do for an organization. I lead a team of generalists and specialists, focusing on providing excellent staff support in a shared services model. Lastly, I have jointly created a human resources committee of our Board of Directors, tapping into external experts to provide leadership on key strategic initiatives for Health Care for the Homeless. Some of my key achievements are:• Leading a renovation of key Human Resources processes and systems, focusing on clarity of expectations, skill building and a culture of accountability. • Working across multiple disciplines, advocating for and creating staff development programs and supporting systems to advance employees’ skills, competencies and effectiveness.• Raising internal and external standards for talent acquisition with streamlined processes, defined roles, partnering with leadership and focused outreach.• Enhancing transparency of the Human Resources function with meaningful metrics and reporting.• Fostering employee and managerial empowerment as a shared service and support model.

Mclean, Virginia, Us

Strengthened the learning & development culture throughout North America by embedding strategic initiatives to achieve business results. Led local and global teams and oversees a budget of $6 million to support the organic talent growth of approximately 25,000 employees.• Led a global, cross-functional team to successfully develop and deploy an employee development program, reaching every location and leader across the globe. Created change management plan to inform and empower leaders and employees to embrace change in behaviors, skills and expectations. • Drove a global Engagement initiative that upskills senior human resources leaders on strategic planning and influencing. Collaboratively worked across regions and segments to incorporate multiple perspectives and approaches into a stream-lined approach. • Designed a week-long learning event for over 250 senior human resources leaders throughout North and South America, negotiating with global stakeholders on content, design, purpose and context. Prepared global leadership to play key roles throughout the event, and created an environment of curiosity and well-being to provide the best opportunity for employees to be inspired through these experiences.• Partnered with global experts to transform a niche learning program into a global team development framework, creating high performing team behavior throughout the organization. Working closely with external vendors, enableed businesses regionally to drive sustainable behavioral change, resulting in leadership effectiveness and stability. • Provided subject matter expertise in corporate learning, including coaching, high performing teams, professional development and industry trends.

Mclean, Virginia, Us

Championed best practices in talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, team development, training, coaching and change management. Partnered with senior leadership teams and supported more than 130 global and local employees, acting as both an employee advocate and business guardian.• Empowered Supply Director to create an impactful and effective supply community, implementing organizational design, talent management and high performing team interventions. Built pipeline of leaders fit for future business growth to deliver critical performance measures and create culture of accountability and engagement. • Collaboratively designed sales incentive program, both monetary and nonmonetary, to drive desired behaviors and activities resulting in double-digit growth in 2011 and 2012. • Developed and spearheaded global Engagement strategy, working closely with and influencing global senior leaders to re-invigorate the leadership pipeline and strengthen the organization’s culture. Resulted in a more effective organization with a measurable increase in Engagement across the business.• Designed and deployed a multi-year talent demand strategy to build or buy critical capabilities throughout the organization, leading to a stronger talent pipeline, robust internal career paths and reduced disruption in business operations.

Washington, Dc, Us

Litigate matters of interest to the Department of Education, including employment-related issues

Washington, Dc, Us

Counseled corporate, not-for-profit and government clients on complex employment matters, mitigating business risk and providing organizational stability. Represented employers and employees in litigation, both in courts and administrative hearings, including pre-litigation analysis and negotiation of settlements.• Represented senior executives in negotiations and litigation over compensation agreements and severance packages, resulting in financial and professional security for the clients.• Drafted and assessed employee handbooks and policies for international higher education organization, thereby creating consistency throughout its global locations.• Counseled corporations in employee relations matters, including anti-discrimination laws, resulting in separation of high risk employees without litigation.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Us

In-depth engagement in employment and labor matters involving labor negotiations, affirmative action plans, workers’ compensation, FLSA, state wage and hour laws, FMLA, discrimination claims, and employee handbooks. • Assessed and prepared affirmative action plans for local organizations, avoiding audits and penalties.• Supported prospective mergers through critical analysis of executive agreements, leading to mitigated business risk during successful corporate transactions.• Led investigations into discrimination claims for several businesses, resulting in avoidance of litigation and better employee policies and practices.

J.D.

M.A., The Elliott School Of International Affairs

B.A., Woodrow Wilson School Of International Affairs & Public Policy